[Ultrasonography studies of the fetal hip].

Recent advances in ultrasound technology, especially high-resolution sonography, now permit visualisation of the fetal hip development. Since early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hip dislocation significantly influence the outcome of the disease, ultrasound screening of the newborn infants showed to be the most effective method. In our study assessment of the fetal hip has been performed on the prenatal level in order to provide basic knowledge on fetal hip development from 14th to 40th weeks of gestation. From the 20th week of gestation bony structures are clearly visible and allow the assessment of acetabular configuration. Soft tissue and chondral acetabular components are recognizable from the 21st week. For pre- and postnatal comparative measures Graf's method and standard documentation is used.